Deschutes County Search and Rescue volunteers rescued an injured skier from high up South Sister on Saturday, with the help of an Air Link helicopter.

Nick Economou, 32, of Portland, was 8,250 feet up the 10,000-foot mountain when a member of his skiing party called 911 at 2:24 p.m. to report he was injured and unable to descend the mountain on his own.

Eight search and rescue volunteers responded, with four hiking to Economou from the Devil’s Lake Trailhead and the rest flying in the Air Link helicopter to as near to Economou’s location as possible. The rescuers made it to Economou at 3:18 p.m., stabilized his injury and transported him on a rescue sled to the waiting helicopter 1/2 mile away. Air Link flew the injured man to St. Charles Bend.

Rescuers said Economou’s rescue and survival were helped by his familiarity with the area, his preparation for the conditions and the fact that he was skiing with a group who could seek help after he was injured.

Conditions on South Sister this time of year can range from bare dirt to deep snow, with extreme weather changes, and skiers and hikers should be prepared for all conditions, according to Deschutes County Search and Rescue.